- Guest artists and conductors include Midori, Orli Shaham, Brent Havens, MiG Ayesa, Kris Johnson, Nate Winn, Darell “Red” Campbell, Jon Dixon, Robert Franz, and George Shirley
Detroit, (May 6, 2021) – This May, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) continues its series of DSO Digital Concerts with four Classical programs conducted by Music Director Jader Bignamini, plus PNC Pops, Family, and CUBE | Digital performances.
This Friday, May 7, Bignamini will conduct works of two Austrian composers who found inspiration far from home: Schubert’s Overture in the Italian Style in C major and Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 in D major, “London”. The following evening, Saturday, May 8, he will be joined by renowned violinist Midori for Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. The program also features the world premiere of Veronika Krausas’s Caryatids, inspired by the “many strong, influential, and powerful women from Detroit.” The work was commissioned by the DSO following Krausas being named the recipient of the orchestra’s tenth annual Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award for Female Composers. Click here for a conversation between Krausas, previous Lebenbom Award winners Missy Mazzoli and Sarah Kirkland Snider, and DSO clarinetist and bass clarinetist Shannon Orme.
On Thursday, May 13, the PNC Pops series continues with The Music of Queen. Conductor Brent Havens and vocalist MiG Ayesa will be joined by the DSO and a full rock band to present Queen favorites including “We Are the Champions,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
On Friday, May 14, a pre-recorded Sosnick Courtyard performance from the Kris Johnson Group will premiere on the CUBE | Digital series. Johnson, an award-winning trumpeter, bandleader, and DSO Civic Youth Ensemble alum, will be joined by drummer Nate Winn, bassist and Civic Jazz Ensemble Director Darell “Red” Campbell, and keyboardist Jon Dixon to present an evening of vibrant music that combines unique textures of sound fused with jazz, funk, hip-hop, and neo-soul elements. Digital tickets are $9 and can be purchased by clicking here.
The Young People’s Family Concert series continues Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m. with Peter & the Wolf, featuring narration by the legendary singer and educator George Shirley—the first African American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera. Join Shirley, conductor Robert Franz, and the DSO for a musical adventure with Peter and his animal friends in Prokofiev’s timeless classic.
The following week, Bignamini returns to Orchestra Hall to conduct two more varied programs. On Thursday, May 20, he will lead the DSO in Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3, “Scottish”, named for an opening theme that was first sketched as the composer visited ruins of the chapel where Mary was crowned Queen of Scotland. On Friday, May 21, Bignamini and the DSO welcome acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham for a performance of Beethoven's second piano concerto on a program that also highlights a new work: i am a white person who _____ Black people by Daniel Bernard Roumain.
On Saturday, May 22 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., join us for an encore presentation of the Jazz from Detroit virtual music marathon. Celebrate Detroit’s landmark jazz legacy with host Mark Stryker and salon-style interviews and performances by Marcus Elliot and Michael Malis, Robert Hurst Group, Charles McPherson, and Regina Carter with Xavier Davis. Single tickets are $9.
Previously rescheduled for Tuesday, May 25 and Wednesday, May 26, 2021, the Wu-Tang Clan x DSO: Film and Concert Experience performances have been postponed to March 2022. Those with questions may contact the DSO Box Office at tickets@dso.org or 313.576.5111.
All DSO Digital Concert performances will be live streamed from Orchestra Hall and are innovatively programmed with health and safety considerations in mind. Subscribers and select donors receive access to all DSO Digital Concerts, with individual tickets available for purchase. Concerts can be viewed exclusively on dso.org or the DSO app via computer, mobile device, or smart TV. Click here to view a full list of digital events.
The health and safety of our patrons, musicians, and staff is our top priority. Please visit dso.org/safetyplan to learn more.
The DSO Classical Series is generously sponsored by PVS Chemicals, Inc. The title sponsor of the DSO’s PNC Pops Series is PNC Bank. CUBE | Digital is supported by Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings, Ford Motor Company Fund, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with additional support from Quicken Loans and the Boston Consulting Group. The Young People’s Family Concert Series is sponsored by Sun Communities.
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JADER: HAYDN’S LONDON SYMPHONY
Classical
Friday, May 7, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Jader Bignamini, conductor
DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini leads the DSO in a program featuring two works of Austrian composers that found their inspiration far from home. Schubert composed two overtures “In the Italian Style” as he looked to evoke the music of Rossini, while Haydn’s final symphony was the culmination of a set of twelve written for his travels to London.
SCHUBERT Overture in the Italian Style in C major, D. 591
HAYDN Symphony No. 104 in D major, Hob.I:104, "London"
Classical
Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Midori, violin
The DSO welcomes Midori, a visionary artist, activist, and educator, to Orchestra Hall. She joins DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini to perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. The concerto's memorable opening melody would not let Mendelssohn rest until he had committed it to paper. Also featured on the program is the world premiere of Caryatids by Veronika Krausas, winner of the DSO’s tenth annual Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award for Female Composers.
VERONIKA KRAUSAS Caryatids (World Premiere)
MENDELSSOHN Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor, Op. 64
PNC Pops
Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Brent Havens, conductor
MiG Ayesa, vocalist
From "We Are the Champions" to "Another One Bites the Dust," the music of Queen bridged the gap between rock 'n' roll and orchestral music and led the way among the mega-bands of the 70s. MiG Ayesa channels the distinct vocals of Freddy Mercury for a "Bohemian Rhapsody" of hit after chart-smashing hit along with the DSO and a full rock band. They will rock you!
CUBE
Friday, May 14, 2021 at 7 p.m.
Award-winning trumpeter and bandleader Kris Johnson presents an evening of vibrant music that combines unique textures of sound fused with jazz, funk, hip-hop, and neo-soul elements. Johnson will be joined by drummer Nate Winn, bassist Darell “Red” Campbell, and keyboardist Jon Dixon. Enjoy the digital premiere of this performance from the comfort of your home!
Tickets: Digital General Admission - $9
Please note: this program was pre-recorded live in the DSO’s Sosnick Courtyard.
Young People’s Family Concerts
Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Robert Franz, conductor
George Shirley, narrator
Join the DSO on a musical adventure with Peter and his animal friends in Prokofiev’s timeless classic, Peter and the Wolf.
Classical
Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Jader Bignamini, conductor
When one of the Romantic era's most popular composers takes a tour of Scotland, chances are it will inspire the creation of a new symphony. Just is the case with Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3, with an opening theme that was first sketched as he visited ruins of the chapel where Mary was crowned Queen of Scotland.
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56, "Scottish"
Classical
Friday, May 21, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Orli Shaham, piano
Jader Bignamini welcomes pianist Orli Shaham to join the DSO for a performance of Beethoven's second piano concerto on a program including a new work by acclaimed composer and violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain.
DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN i am a white person who ____ Black people
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
ENCORE: JAZZ FROM DETROIT
CUBE
Saturday May 22, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join us virtually for an encore presentation of the marathon festival experience that celebrates Detroit's landmark jazz legacy hosted by Mark Stryker, award-winning arts reporter and author of Jazz from Detroit. The event will feature salon-style interviews & performances by Marcus Elliot & Michael Malis, Robert Hurst Group, Charles McPherson, and Regina Carter with Xavier Davis.
Tickets
Digital GA- $9
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About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the organization. In January 2020, Italian conductor Jader Bignamini was named the DSO’s next music director to commence with the 2020-2021 season. Conductor Leonard Slatkin, who concluded a decade-long tenure at the helm in 2018, now serves as the DSO’s Music Director Laureate. Celebrated conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, while the outstanding trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. One of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrated its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in eight metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.